New Characters

Upcoming Events

Failed.
Bradwyn checked his battle of 12, he rolled 13.
Success
Talfryn checked his battle of 15, he rolled 4.
Success
Drustan checked his battle of 15, he rolled 8.
Success
Claire checked her Battle of 10, she rolled 8.
Gareth rolls 1d20 and gets (15) for a total of: 15
Gareth rolls 1d20 and gets (11) for a total of: 11
Gareth rolls 1d20 and gets (18) for a total of: 18
Gareth rolls 1d20 and gets (5) for a total of: 5
Failed.
Gareth makes a check for Young Knight (Brad) Battle at 13, he rolled 17.
Critical Success!
Gareth makes a check for Young Knight (Talf) Battle at 13, he rolled 13.
Succeeded
Gareth makes a check for Experienced Knight (Dru) at 18, he rolled 2.
Failed.
Gareth makes a check for New Knight (Claire) Battle at 10, he rolled 11.

November 2, 514.

A cold rain has fallen for most of the morning, however, as morning gives way to midday, the bealeagured defenders of Ebble are hopeful for relief from the siege that Dorset has set upon the walled city. Dorset has the city well and surrounded and demands for surrender have gone unheeded so far. Earl Richard, hoping to aid to Sir Oswallt has gathered knights and those that stood out in the tournament to lead troops to the south to meet the forces of Dorset head on.

The forces of Salisbury march under the banners of Richard and their individual houses, their troops varied from the knights and soldiers from various houses, sent to aid the city.

Lined up on the valley on either side of the city, it would really be a majestic sight, were it not for the fact that wholesale slaughter was about to be performed upon the valley between the two armies.

On the left flank, the groups of soldiers under Idmistron command find themselves against a pair of experienced knights that were at the Tournament, and had set themselves well in the joust and melee. Between the two men, there is roughly fifty troops to meet those of the same amount under the command of Talfryn and Bradwyn.

On the right flank, Drustan and Claire, the newlyweds, find themsleves in a different situation. The knight leading the Dorset forces is a knight of some renown, and was present for the deaths of the Idmistron and Newton heirs. Along with him however, is a younger man, a recently promoted knight, who is tasting his first command at leading troops. His inexperience is bolstered by the more infamous commander, who has taken him under his wing.

Battle had come to Dorset- and Talfryn, with his group of knights and soldiers began to ride forward. "Come on boys, time to show these Dorset boys how the vassals of RObert do thing! Charge! The horns first, then the belly!" he says, sending two groups to go ahead, and try to flank the body they fight against.

Claire has a lot on her plate. A lot. Besides, she missed something important. Twice. Hrm. It distracts some of her thoughts earlier in the day but there is business to be tended to. With Winter descending, she's more interested in getting this over with and getting home to a warm fire. Especially with spotting fae on her lands. Sigh. But with the battle spreading out before them, Claire sits on her horse atop the small rise. Her armor is shined and clear and her war horse blows a cloud every time it snorts. Eyes peering out from her helm, she stares at the two across the valley. "If I wished to ascribe any credit to the cowards of Dorset, I might be insulted to face someone such as that." Ordering her troops forward with a gesture of her gloved hand, she uses her other hand to ensure the armor is secured around the side. After that, she moves forward with a knowing smile given over to her husband.

Though he did not enter into the summer tournament, Drustan was one who provided word to the Earl of Dorset's meddling over the border. He and Claire, specifically. Even if it was done by runner while the Falt knight recovered within Ebble. Not that he's new to Ebble in the least. The man once provided aid that saved the Knight of Ebble's wife and Falt is one of its banner houses. It is quite possible, truly, that he was specifically requested for those reasons. In maille that has been blackened, with coat and trou that are also dark in hue… Drustan Falt is not one of those courtier knights who tends towards flamboyancy. No. The only brightness upon his personage is the raven painted in white upon his shield. There is, in the mix of knights he commands, his own squire; Cai, looking a blend of nervous and excited. The lad is quiet, for once, focused upon the battle.

Drustan is watching the knight opposite him. A man whose heraldry is known well to the denizens of Salisbury. If the younger knight is unsettled by facing such a fow, he does not show it outwardly. There is a sidelong glance for Claire at her words, giving him opportunity to catch that smile. He offers his own in return before spurring his charger forward a measure and reaching out for the lance his squire profers. The men and women he leads are sent forward to clash with those lead by Dorset.

On a hillside overlooking a battlefield. Good for planning, not so good when you are six feet tall. Following Talfryn's lead Bradwyn gives his own commands, "They can have the flanks, try to get their attention! They can turn around and face us as they die or they can keep their eyes on the city and die like the murderous dogs they are, FOR TOMAS!" as he leads his knights and solders forwards to draw the attention of the enemy and to give Talfryn better chances to flank the enemy. Also heis remaining forces can come in as a secondary wave or bolster those flanking.

Bradwyn's squire remains more on the sidelines, the lad has had some training of course but not quite enough to take part int eh fight, though he could assist in other ways as Bradwyn readies his lance to charge the enemy along with his men.

Failed.
Talfryn checked his battle of 15, he rolled 19.
Success
Drustan checked his battle of 15, he rolled 11.
Success
Claire checked her battle of 10, she rolled 9.
Success
Bradwyn checked his battle of 12, he rolled 2.
Succeeded
Gareth makes a check for Young Knight (Brad) Battle at 13, he rolled 12.
Succeeded
Gareth makes a check for Young Knight (Talf) Battle at 13, he rolled 8.
Succeeded
Gareth makes a check for Experienced Knight (Dru) Battle at 18, he rolled 10.
Critical Fail!
Gareth makes a check for New Knight (Claire) Battle at 10, he rolled 20.

Quickly, things begin to fall apart on the battle field for Talfryn and his knights. STill, he urges them forward. "Shit." he says to himself, trying to rally the troops as his forward 'horns' begin to get cut down. "We're not done, yet!" Talfryn shouts, looking urgently for a way in- a way through.

As the forces clash in the valley, it is Claire that finds the most initial success. With her troops breaking through the ranks of the newer knight, she finds herself on a collision course with the young commander, who draws his sword to prepare to meet with the young woman on the field of battle.

Talfryn, on the other hand, is having trouble. His ranks are starting to fall, and the Dorset commander is pressing forward, his blade flashing as he starts to close in on the young Idmistron heir. Drustan and Bradwyn's forces are still in a stalemate in the middle of the field.

On the outskirts of the battle, a small group arrives, looking out over the field of battle as it unfolds.

Success
Talfryn checked his awareness of 12, he rolled 9.
Failed.
Drustan checked his awareness of 10, he rolled 14.
Success
Claire checked her Awareness of 12, she rolled 9.
Failed.
Talfryn checked his heraldry of 3, he rolled 4.
Failed.
Claire checked her Heraldry of 5, she rolled 12.
Failed.
Bradwyn checked his awareness of 10, he rolled 18.

When his wife surges on forward through the less-cohesive forces of her opposing leader, Drustan spares only a glance after her. He has to trust she knows what she's doing. For the time, he has to filter out the instincts to worry and protect. He has his own forces to contend with. Shifting grasp upon lance, the man observes, waits, and makes calls for troop movement even as he moves his charger slowly forward. Thus far, it seems to be a fairly even match between himself and the other knight - a man whose gaze he meets often, from beneath his helm. As time passes and metla clashes upon metal, the Falt's expression dours further.

A growl of frustration as Bradwyn's forces are successful in drawing attention, but not so much success to be of much help behind that, and also failing to distract fully from the 'horns' trying to flank. Orders go up to try and bring some order to the chaos, as Bradwyn attempts to redouble the efforts of his troops so they can hopefully make some headway and help out the heir's forces before they suffer too much more.

Claire is used to fighting more guerrilla actions involving one or two people. But her house, Stapleford? They train from the moment they can understand a blade. It shows through with the way her House fights and marauds through the Dorset defenders. There's grim satisfaction to watching them fall, feeling an even stronger connection to her family's beliefs. The arrival of a group to the side is noticed but there's no recognition there. Instead, she focuses on this young man coming at her. Her own sword is drawn as she rides at him, despite everything in her life screaming at her about leading her house, there is one thing she believes in more than anything else: Glorious Death. There's no hiding the wild grin on her face as she charges at the young Knight, screaming in wild abandon in the excitement.

Bradwyn's line is starting to falter and fall - it seems to be that way on the whole left flank. With the Dorset forces pushing forward, the two battle tested knights starting to press their way through on the Idmistron flanks, the knights now both in combat with their respective commanders. On the right flank, things are going much better. Claire gets the better of her knight on their first pass, however, she does little damage, and the two turn to square off again, as the Drustan finally finds himself facing the large and battle testes knight.

In the skies above Salisbury, things start to darken. Clouds? No. The sun is slowly starting to disappear into a shadow, casting darkness slowly across the land.

"Witchery!" Talfryn shouts, as darkness begins to fall over the land- his blade flashing as he fights against the commander while things go tits-up all around the Idmiston man. There's still hope, and he fights on hard- not letting this darkness stop him. "I know not what evil Dorset commands, but we end it here!" he shouts out- even as a blade falls against his shoulder. His chain holds strong- however, he'll be feeling that bruise tomorrow.

Claire's hit lands without much effect and the scream fades. Both her and her horse are blowing hot breath into the cool air. She's nearly standing in the stirrups but stops short of a full rise. The sword is rolled gently around as her horse is turned back towards the young knight. She's about to begin riding when the sky turns dark. A feeling of dread overtakes her, but not enough to drown out the need to fulfill her family name. She rides back at the young Knight, running the warhorse hard.

There's a certain measure of pride in Drustan as his wife clashes and holds her own against the knight she faces. It bolsters his own confidence in his troops, perhaps, for the calls he makes are just what's needed to break through the ranks. With an opening presented to him, the Falt lowers the point of his lance and sets to a charge. There's a deepening of his frown as the sky grows dark, but he doesn't allow himself to spare a look. Not just yet, at least. There is work to be done in honor of those he serves. In retribution for the lives lost to Dorset.

Success
Claire checked her Sword of 15, she rolled 2.
Success
Talfryn checked his sword of 15, he rolled 5.
Failed.
Drustan checked his Loyalty for Oswallt of 15, he rolled 18.
Critical Fail!
Bradwyn checked his love for family of 15, he rolled 20.
Critical Success!
Drustan checked his Lance of 10, he rolled 10.
Succeeded
Gareth makes a check for Young Knight (Talf) Sword at 13, he rolled 12.
Succeeded
Gareth makes a check for Experienced Knight (Dru) Lance at 18, he rolled 3.
Critical Fail!
Gareth makes a check for New Knight (Claire) Sword at 10, he rolled 20.
Claire rolls 4d6 and gets (6 2 6 5) for a total of: 19
Gareth rolls 6d6 and gets (4 5 6 1 2 4) for a total of: 22
Critical Fail!
Drustan checked his Horsemanship of 15, he rolled 20.

Bradwyn's forces are virtually engulfed by the enemy forces, the tallest of the Idmistons is far from happy. Sword in hand a bellowing call goes out, "Men and women of Idmiston! Will you allow these savages to go unavenged for murdering Sir Tomas?! Lay them low! If we are to die then let it be on a road of their corpses!" Perhaps the strain of battle, perhaps the chaos, perhaps the darkening of the very sun saps something out of his voice and the bellow seems to fall into the general din.

Succeeded
Gareth makes a check for Young Knight (Talf) Val at 15, he rolled 1.
Succeeded
Gareth makes a check for Young Knight (Brad) Val at 15, he rolled 8.
Succeeded
Gareth makes a check for Experienced Knight (Dru) Val at 15, he rolled 10.
Succeeded
Gareth makes a check for New Knight (Claire) Val at 15, he rolled 6.
Failed.
Talfryn checked his valorous of 15, he rolled 19.
Success
Drustan checked his Valorous of 15, he rolled 3.
Success
Claire checked her Valorous of 15, she rolled 13.

There's something about the setting, the heraldry- something. Drustan's side aches and the lance feels heavier than he's accustomed to. Many centuries hence, they will know it for what it is. PTSD. In the moment, however, the man suffers a brief flashback. Very brief and yet long enough for the other knight's lance to land such a solid hit upon his shield that it cracks the wood clear through and the lance pierces into his armor. Even as he's unhorsed, the blood splatters over the saddle. His own lance simply falls, discarded, to the ground alongside him. The cries of the ghosts and their visages passing through don't eem to phase the man deeply, no. Instead, he's trying to get back to his feet and out of harm's way at the moment.

"Tomas?" Talfryn says, his face going so pale- as he watches his brother rise from the grave, ghosts fighting eachother. He stumbles back, "No!" he shouts, as he begins to flee, "No!" he shouts again, "The dead should stay dead! This is.. What is this evil?!" he stumbles back, terror on his face as he nearly vomits from the terror of seeing the dead rise from their graves.

It's the experienced knight that realizes what is going on around them. "..what witchcraft is this!" He says, and he looks.. noticing Claire felling his ward, and his eyes grow wide. "The Wyld Hunt! It favours the Keeper of the Bones!" Apparently he knows of the young lady and what her title is, and believes it is her family coming to her aid. "Withdraw!" he orders, pulling back his troops. "Retreat!" the knight calls again, sounding out the retreat, throwing even more chaos onto the field as apparently Claire is summoning the dead.

Success
Claire checked her Sword of 15, she rolled 10.
Success
Drustan checked his Battle of 15, he rolled 13.
Success
Talfryn checked his Valorous of 15, he rolled 5.
Failed.
Talfryn checked his Battle of 15, he rolled 16.
Failed.
Gareth makes a check for New Knight Sword at 10, he rolled 16.
Claire rolls 4d6 and gets (4 3 2 4) for a total of: 13

The overall commander of the Dorset forces has ordered the retreat. As he does so, he glances over, seeing Claire - the witch summoner - strike down the young knight. "That was my son!" he says, anger flairing in his eyes as he continues to rally for the withdrawl, even as it collapses into chaos as Drustan manages to rally his side - the Idmistron retreat is more organized.

"I will not forget this, Sir Claire de Stapleford." he swears, as he turns his charger into the retreat.

Talfryn pauses as he fights his fear- removing his helmet to vomit. "That was mt brother.." he says, turning as he watches his people running. "NO! NO! WE FIGHT!" He calls out, turning on his heel and rushing back into battle, after replacing his helmet.

Failed.
Claire checked her Awareness of 12, she rolled 18.

It's a rally. Or not a rally. Drustan is having trouble focusing or even thinking. All the man can really think about is his last failure in regards to the Dorset Knights. The man does get back to his feet and upon his horse. His squire passes off a spare shield and the knight leans heavily upon the neck of his charger. He doesn't retreat himself, not yet. Instead he draws himself and tries to summon his men to join with Claire and hers. He tucks his shield arm in tight against his side, trying to stem the flow of blood.

Claire does not mind one BIT that the enemy believes she is summoning the dead to fight. Nope. How he knows her title does not concern her at all, either. Claire rides her horse hard across the battlefield and when the troops start to break ranks and flee, she does not relent. That Knight dared raise his sword against her but also, by allegiance, against her liege. Striking down the Knight on his horse, Claire finally slows and stands in her stirrups. The bloody sword is held by her side as she looks back towards the commander. She probably cannot hear him but she can see him looking. Chest heaving and breath steaming from her helm, she stares right back at him while the ghosts rage battle around her. But there's a moment where she straightens and her head turns down and to the side. Watching the commander retreat, she turns the horse and lifts her sword over her head, parallel to the ground. "Halt in place and take measure! Care to the wounded!"